Very Light Bumbleberry Spread

The sweetness of this spread is derived from the berries, so be sure to use only fully ripe, freshly picked, top quality berries.

1 1/2 cups crushed fully ripe strawberries
1 cup crushed raspberries*
1 cup crushed blackberries*
1 cup unsweetened cherry or apple juice
1 package No Sugar Needed Pectin
1/2 to 1 1/2 cup (125 to 375 ml) granular sugar or artificial sweetener

Prepare jars, caps and bands.

Crush and individually measure berries. Press raspberries and blackberries through coarse sieve to remove part of seeds, if desired. Combine measured berries, juice and No Sugar Needed pectin in a large, deep stainless steel saucepan.

Whisk No Sugar Needed Fruit Pectin into fruit mixture, stirring until completely dissolved; bring mixture to a boil over high heat. Stirring constantly, boil 5 minutes. Remove from heat. Add artificial sweetener, stirring until well mixed.

Ladle fruit spread into a hot jar to within 1/4 inch of top rim (headspace). Using nonmetallic utensil, remove air bubbles. Wipe jar rim removing any stickiness. Center SNAP Lid on jar; apply screw band securely & firmly until resistance is met - fingertip tight. Do not over tighten. Place jar in canner; repeat for remaining fruit spread.

Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes. Adjust time according to altitude.

Makes 4 to 5 half pint jars

LIGHT BUMBLEBERRY SPREAD (sugar added) - Follow directions above, increasing strawberries to 2 cups. Bring fruit pectin mixture to a boil and stir in 3 cups granulated sugar. Return mixture to a boil; boil 5 minutes stirring constantly. (Omit sugar replacement.) Ladle into jars and heat process as directed above.

Makes 5 to 6 half pint jars